VOYAGE TO MADAGASCAR. 293 



formed a defign of foHciting the govern- 

 ment of it : but this man, accu Homed to 

 brave every kind of danger, muft not have 

 thought fuch an obftacle capable of op- 

 pofing the fuccefs of a permanent eftablilli- 

 ment. 



However this may be, Bcnyowlki ar- 

 rived at the Bay of Aotongil, furround'ed 

 by a body of troops, fufficient to overawe 

 the iflanders. His foldiers were furniflied 

 with enormous fabres ; they wore piflols in 

 their girdles ; and it appeared as if their 

 arms, their helmets, and their imiform^ had 

 been invented to fpread fear and terror 

 amongft the natives of Madagafcar. As fooa 

 as he had landed, he took formal poiTefTion 

 of the ifland,and made hiinfeif be proclaim- 

 ed governor- general. He then traced out the. 

 plans of fcveral fortreifcs^ w ith a view of 

 rendering himfelf formidable to the Mae- 

 gaches, whom he wifiied to conquer and 

 U 1 fubdue. 



